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| Viewing: Marrakech Popular Art Festival and Tour |
Package ID: 1304 |
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| Marrakech Popular Art Festival and Tour |
For five days now, the bustling city of Marrakech manages to cram in even more popular sights and sounds than it boasts already during the Marrakech Popular Arts Festival. (Private Tour)
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Marrakech Popular Arts Festival 44th Edition
July 11-15, 2009/Marrakech
For five days now, the bustling city of Marrakech manages to cram in even more popular sights and sounds than it boasts already during the Marrakech Popular Arts Festival.
The El- Badi Palace in particular acts as the centre of events over the course of the festival. Built in the 16th century by El Mansour to house his court, the legendarily grand structure was entirely stripped by Moulay Ismaiel a century later. Although the only remains today are the red walls and the ruined foundations of a few internal structures, there is no denying the imposing scale of the place.
During the rest of the year, when it plays home mainly to a colony of nesting storks, El Badi is a peaceful respite from the bustle of Marrakech Medina. For the duration of the festival, however, its courtyards are packed with enthusiastic performers and spectators. From the Berber musicians and dancers of the High Atlas to the Andalous-inspired musicians of the North, from the trance-inducing music of the Southern Gnawas to the art of the belly dancer, every element of Moroccan culture combines to create a vibrant impression for visitors and locals alike.
If a simple visit to the Place Djemaa El-Fnaa has inspired you on a previous trip, imagine the impact this hospitable town can have during its own music festival.
Itinerary - 10 Days
We can customize your trip for 10 days including the number of days that you would like to join the Festival in addition to exploring the rest of Morocco according to your interest for USD 2250 per person and minimum 2 people.
If you don't have any specific activities or areas of interest, and would prefer that we suggest some to you, please let us know.
Note:
To make your trip shorter or longer than 10 days, please let us know and we can customize it for you accordingly.
"2 people with a private car and English speaking Guide"
"3 people or more with a private luxury van and English speaking guide"
Sample Itinerary
I T I N E R A R Y
After your arrival to Casablanca or Marrakech airport, your expert driver would escort you to your hotel or riad in Marrakech.
Day 1, 2 & 3 - Marrakech (Festival and Tour)
An enchanting palm oasis set against the snow-capped peaks of the High Atlas Mountains, Marrakech is Morocco's second oldest majestic imperial city and retains the splendor of its ancient past. Buildings are blushed in hues of rosy earth, and horse-drawn carriages clip along broad avenues lined with palm, lime and orange trees. Donkeys carrying carts trawl past fragrant gardens of roses, honeysuckle and jasmine.
Explore with your certified guide the ancient Bahia Palace from the days of the harem, now populated by a sentry of nesting storks, enter the ancient royal Saadian Tombs, explore the vibrant and historic Jewish mellah where some of the best jewelry is found in Morocco, and view the majestic Koutoubia Mosque before entry into the 9th century walled medina.
Explore the rest of Marrakech for the second day by visiting the Eve Saint Laurent garden, the ancient Menara pool, the palmerai ride followed by a tur arund the ancient Medina wall.
On the 3rday……… a free day to enjoy Marrakech.
The night beats in the heart of the old city's famed square, Djemaa el-Fna, where delectable fare is grilled over coals in the bustling torch-lit open-air markets. Mystical snake charmers, hustlers and mischievous monkeys are part of the nightly drama unfolding as Berber acrobats, fortune tellers, musicians and engaging storytellers seduce rapt crowds. Wind your way through the serpentine labyrinth of the spice-filled air of the bustling souk, unchanged for over 1000 years, where you'll discover the best of traditional Moroccan craftsmanship.
Music Festival every evening.
B&B at your luxury Riad or hotel in Marrakech.
Day 4 - Ourika Valley
You will explore one of the most beautiful and unspoiled valleys of the High Atlas Valley of Ourika rises gently up to the preliminary hills of the High Atlas where small typical villages have nested. It is a pure and magnificent place where silence is only " disturbed " by birds singing, water streams and wagtails. Ourika is famous for its pottery, minerals and crystal.
If it is Monday, Thursday, or Friday, you will visit the bustling weekly souk of at the Valley.
A couple of hours trekking to explore one of the hidden water falls of the high atlas.
A cup of tea within a Berber family to have a taste of the Berber life style.
Dinner and overnight at your luxury Kasbah Omar at Anrar Mountain of Ourika.
Day 5 - Ouarzazate
We continue our adventure along the majestic beauty of the High Atlas Mountains, through the scenic route of Tizi n’Tichka’s lush oasis valleys and Tizi n’Test, mountainous areas highly popular with trekkers. You’ll stop for lunch at a Berber village on your way to Ouarzazate........ was built by the French in the 1920s, and has since been a frequent location for Hollywood film shoots. We’ll visit one of the famous kasbahs of Morocco, Tifoultoute, used as a hotel for the cast of Lawrence of Arabia in the 1960s. Although it was once protected by a powerful dynasty, now its only guards are a sentry of large storks nesting atop its towers.......... You will visit the Moroccan MGM Film Studio.
B&B at your 4* hotel Hannan Club in Ouarzazate.
Day 6 - Boumalne du Dades - Tinghir - Camel ride & overnight in Merzouga
After a special Berber breakfast, You’ll depart for Tinghir, traveling the rugged Road of a Thousand Kasbahs that rise up like turreted sand castles along this ancient caravan trading route. This area has long been a popular location for Hollywood films such as The Last Temptation of Christ, Jewel of the Nile, and most recently Hideous Kinky. The central region is one of the most exciting and romantic destinations of Morocco nestled along rich river valleys, palmeries and burnished mud-brick homes ablaze in vibrant color under the shelter of the blue desert sky.
You'll travel through the Dadès Valley past dramatic escarpments and plunging gorges via Tinegir through the gorges..........then a drive to Merzouga for a Camel ride and dinner and overnight at a bedwin / Nomad tent to experiment the Nomad life style.
Day 7 - Erfoud - Midelt - Fez
You'll travel past a pageantry of fragrant, dense pine and cedar forests, terraced farms and sienna mud-brick Berber villages in Azrou, known for its wood-carved handicrafts and expert carpet weaving. You'll lunch in Midelt, a sleepy village flanked by the verdant beauty of both the Middle and the snow-covered High Atlas Mountains, bursting with colorful minerals that mottle the mountainside in a blaze of ruby, emerald and topaz.
Dinner and overnight stay at your luxury riad or hotel in Fez.
Day 8 - Fez
Fez is the holiest city in the Islamic world after Mecca and Medina. Founded at the beginning of the 9th century by Moulay Idriss II, and barely unchanged, this enchanting city has been a seat of government, philosophy, medicine and most notably religion since then. Fez, the best surviving example of an ancient Arab city, is comprised of the "new" city, established in the 12th century, and the 2,000-year-old medina, where donkeys and mules laden with goods still trawl alongside buyers through the ancient market, itself a fascinating maze of lanes, blind alleys and bustling souqs assaulting the senses with spices and exotic delicacies. Fez is the perfect place to hone your bargaining skills in buying souvenirs, brightly colored hand-loomed carpets or fine crafted artisan goods. Visit the famous leather tanneries, a honeycomb of vats erupting in an explosion of brilliant color. Then, climb to the venerated Merenid Tombs for a spectacular panoramic view of Fez.
B&B at your luxury riad or hotel in Fez.
Day 9 - Meknes - Volubilis - Casablanca
You travel past centuries-old olive groves and vineyards we near Meknes, the Ismalian capital, famous
for its 25-mile-long walls - and, not to mention excellent wine - where we'll stop for a sumptuous
lunch in a grand palace. Heading to port Bab El Mansour and Bab El Khamis, journey back thousands of years and explore the ancient Roman ruins of Volubulis sprawled over a wildflower-dotted hillside, where a magnificent triumphal arch presides over the awesome remains of palaces and mansions, Roman baths and basilicas, and stunning mosaics.
Dinner at Rick's Cafe' from the movie Casablanca.
B&B at your luxury hotel in Casablanca.
Day 10 - Casablanca
Transfer to Mohamed V airport for your return home with plenty of tails of Arabian nights and days.
Cost:
USD 2250.00 per person based on double or triple occupancy
USD 4500.00 for a single occupancy
2 years and under are free of charge
2 – 6 years old 75% off
7-11 years old 50% off
12 years old & up full cost
What's Included:
* 4* Luxury Riad & hotel lodging
* Breakfast daily
* All dinners
* Camel Ride / 4x4 in and out of Sahara
* Overnight / Nomad tent / Sahara
* Private luxury van, gas, tolls & English speaking driver for the entire trip
* Transfers to and from airport
* Knowledgeable certified guides at the Imperial cities
* All taxes
Not included in package price:
* Airfare
* Festival & Museums fee
* lunch
* Drinks
* Travel Insurance
Note
Private guided tour---Not a group tour.
If it is over your budget-----Hotels can be changed for lower budgets.
Upgrade to 5* or 5* deluxe accommodation is available.
Group Discounts Available.
We can't make the sun shine, or the rain fall, but we can promise to do everything in our power to ensure an unforgettable and exceptional visit to Morocco. I hope you'll join us.
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